Page 52 of A Touch of Iron
“I never said I was in love with you!” I blurted, then quickly closed my mouth before I said anything else hurtful.
Now it was Ansel’s turn to look shocked. “But you—”
“I never once told you I was in love with you, Ansel,” I interrupted. “I cared … no, Istillcare for you deeply, but what we had wasn’t love.”
“Then what was it?” he whispered.
I sighed and looked down at my feet. “You were my normal.” I glanced back up at him.
He frowned. “What?”
I gave him a sad smile. “With you, I found a sense of normalcy in a crazy world, one where I had never fit. You opened my eyes to who I really was and showed me a new world. You were my anchor in a sea of chaos.”
“And now what?”
“Now, you betrayed me. And I’m struggling to get past that … but it’s hard.”
Ansel may have opened my eyes to a brand-new world, but Alec helped me find my place. I was grateful to them in different ways, but Ansel’s betrayal was unexpected and rocked me to my core. Then again, even if it hadn’t happened, I didn’t know if we would have lasted anyway.
Ansel took a step toward me and stopped, keeping his distance. “For what it’s worth, Iamsorry, Vi. I never wanted to hurt you or put your mother in harm’s way. You must know that.”
I nodded. “I know.”
“If I hadn’t done it, do you think things would be different now?” he whispered.
I shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t know. I’d like to think I would’ve made the same choice in the end.”
He swallowed deeply. “Do you love him?”
I smiled. “I can’t answer that. I won’t say something to you that I haven’t even told him.”
“Fair enough,” he agreed. “Just … just know I’m still on your side. No matter what.”
“Thank you, Ansel.”
He offered a small smile before turning back and walking down the hall with me following close behind. We reached the other side of the castle where the Seelie Queen was staying, but before Ansel knocked on the door, he turned to face me.
“Listen,” he breathed, “I don’t know what the Queen has planned, but nothing good can come of it. Keep your wits sharp. There’s not much I can do without openly defying her, so this is up to you. You have no ties to bind you to the SeelieorUnseelie. And most of all, don’t be afraid. She’s more afraid of you than you are of her. Use that to your advantage.” When I nodded, he turned and knocked on the door.
“Come in,” the Seelie Queen announced.
Ansel opened the door and led me into an enormous bedroom. I thought mine was big, but this one was easily two to three times larger. It was closer to the size of an apartment in New York City. Her bed was elevated on a raised dais, and a personal living room and dressing area took up a quarter of the space. Alternating shades of sky blue and bright white splashed the room in peaceful, soothing tones. She rested on a balcony, partially concealed behind sheer curtains that billowed in a gentle wind.
“Ah, I see my package has arrived.” The Seelie Queen lounged in a chair with pale aquamarine cushions, looking relaxed and serene, though her eyes sharpened as I approached. “Please, do come in.” She motioned for me to take the chair across from her.
“Greetings, Your Majesty.” I gave a slight bow before taking a seat. Ansel stayed standing by the balcony doors. “Have you been enjoying your stay in the Unseelie Court?”
“Hmm … somewhat. It’s been quite …interestingto say the least,” she replied cryptically. “I am saddened that you haven’t come to visit me after the proposal I made,” she tsked. “I had hoped we could work together.”
“You want to start a war with the Unseelie Court, all because of me.” I shrugged. “I don’t know if I want to be a part of that.”
She reached for a delicate teacup on the table between us and slowly sipped her tea. “Freedom is a hot commodity these days. I thought that would be enough to sway you to my cause.”
I laughed. “Ah … so many people offering me freedom lately. Gosh, it’s almost as if I have none.”
“You don’t,” she said coldly, her gaze penetrating me. “You never did. Not from your mother, the humans, the Unseelie, or anyone else. But I can give it to you.”
I eyed her just as coldly. “As long as I do something in return, of course.”
